Pablo Icaza / Chile / 12 minutes
Synopsis
Valdemar is on his deathbed. A magnetiser mesmerises him: what if, in this in-between state, the subject could witness what awaits us afterlife?
We welcomed this Pablo Icaza’s short with pleasure, as we’re always partial to literary adaptations. Yet « Valdemar » delivers mixed results.
Major strong point: pretty lights. The limited (but efficient) sets are enhanced by a mysterious and very suitable lighting. It’s worth noting that the photography treatment, with its hazy black & white that could’ve been more contrasted, contributes to the film’s strange atmosphere. A few little visual experimentations will make the unease grow until the Finale. The “freeze-frame” effect for example is interesting and astute in this context.
Emma Mateo’s music is perfect. However the rest of the sound struggles to reach the same level. Voices are sometimes too loud or too low, and the “road” audio background (and you can also glimpse cars through the window) is weird in that universe.
In the acting, nothing special. Perhaps the scenario did not allow the cast to shine more. But the progressive pace is well handled: even if there are not a lot of events, the 12 minutes fly by. As for the conclusion, Poe’s readers will be even more surprised than the other viewers!
Conclusion
Nice work with the literary approach. The exercise is finally a little clumsy, but the whole thing doesn’t lack personality.
G.W.
« Valdemar » joins official selection for the Little Croco Festival’s first edition, nominated in the Sci-Fi/Fantastic category.
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